The connection between the two conditions relates to the delicate network of vessels in your auditory system. When pressure builds in this system, it can result in symptoms of tinnitus. If your tinnitus symptoms include a beating, pulsing or pumping sound, it could be related to your blood pressure.
What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus? People with pulsatile tinnitus often hear rhythmic thumping, whooshing or throbbing in one or both ears. Some patients report the sounds as annoying. But for others, the sounds are intense and debilitating, making it difficult to concentrate or sleep.
Harmful blood pressure levels; If you want to keep your tinnitus at bay you should keep track of your blood pressure which can also help protect you from other illnesses. You should be diligent about routinely checking your blood pressure because both high and low blood pressure can make tinnitus worse.
While it has no clear cure or cause, it affects millions of people in the world on some level and can be challenging to cope with. Thankfully, it's entirely possible to live a normal life even with tinnitus.
Blood pressure medications - ACE inbihibitors (Lisinopril and Enalprel) have been known to cause tinnitus. Beta Blockers like Propranolol and Nebivolol (Bystolic) can rarely cause tinnitus. Propranolol is also used for anxiety disorders including performance anxiety.
“For the most part, beta blockers are not typically associated with tinnitus occurrence,” Heche explains. Carvedilol and labetalol, for example, do not seem to be linked to ringing in the ears.
However, unlike hearing loss, which has been reported to be an independent risk factor for dementia, the link between tinnitus and cognitive impairment remains unclear [1].
Untreated tinnitus can be incredibly dangerous to your overall wellbeing. Left without treatment, tinnitus can lead to depression, anxiety and social isolation. If you're concerned you may be suffering fro tinnitus, schedule an appointment with an audiologist in your area today.
Sound Therapy
If one has something in their environment that sounds like their tinnitus, the brain has a source to attribute to the sound and is able to become more relaxed. There are many ways to implement sound therapy. Common at-home methods can include turning a fan on, listening to music or the tv.
Heart disease and tinnitus
Abnormal blood vessels, narrowed arteries, hardened arteries, and other vascular issues can cause a specific type of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that sounds like a heartbeat, known as pulsatile tinnitus. If you are experiencing this kind of tinnitus, see a healthcare provider promptly.
When blood pressure is high, blood flow through the carotid artery is more likely to be turbulent and thus cause a pulsating sound.
Tinnitus is often called "ringing in the ears." It may also sound like blowing, roaring, buzzing, hissing, humming, whistling, or sizzling. The noises heard can be soft or loud. The person may even think they're hearing air escaping, water running, the inside of a seashell, or musical notes.
High pressure in the vascular system may cause inner ear hemorrhage, which is supplied by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, which supports the inner ear artery and is divided into cochlear artery and anterior vestibular artery [4], which may cause progressive or sudden hearing loss [3, 5].
What Causes Tinnitus? Prolonged exposure to loud sounds is the most common cause of tinnitus. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have some level of noise-induced hearing loss. The noise causes permanent damage to the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear.
See an audiologist if it persists more than two weeks
Most temporary tinnitus cases will last for two weeks, so if your symptoms last longer than that and things aren't getting better, it makes sense to take action.
Conditions including diabetes, thyroid problems, migraines, anemia, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have all been associated with tinnitus.
Ménière's disease.
Tinnitus can be a symptom of Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder that can also cause balance problems and hearing loss.
Tinnitus causes changes in brain networks
Though it sounds positive, in the long term, it can negatively impact the brain. In a study by researchers at the University of Illinois, they found that chronic tinnitus has been linked to changes in certain networks in the brain.
Research published in the NCBI found that 44.4% of people with tinnitus also had hypertension. The connection between the two conditions relates to the delicate network of vessels in your auditory system. When pressure builds in this system, it can result in symptoms of tinnitus.
Bromelain – Tinnitus can have adverse effects on the body, which can lead to inflammation. However, bromelain, which is found in pineapple, can help reduce inflammation in the body, thus lessening the effects of tinnitus.
“Patients should begin to see relief from clogged ears and tinnitus within the eight-month mark,” says Patel. Which over-the-counter antihistamines are safe to use long-term? Patel says non-sedating, second-generation antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra are safe.